THE EPISTLE of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church March 2017 Volume XXXVII, No. 7 SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE 9:00 A.M. Worship Service MARCH 2017 10:15 A.M. Fellowship Period 10:30 A.M. Faith Formation Hour
Partner to Partner In anticipation of Lent, I ve been reading some meditations by John Leax, who retired as professor of English and poet-in-residence at Houghton College in 2009. Leax does much of his writing in a little cabin on his property in upstate New York. The cabin is primitive, so each winter morning he enters the frozen room and starts up a little propane heater to make the place habitable and to thaw out a small patch of ice that forms each night in the very middle of his writing desk. How does this water get there? He can t figure it out, but he muses that the insidious, daily reappearance of this water is an analogy for the way sin, as subtle as water, finds the hidden cracks in my life, flows to the center of my work, and disrupts the wholeness of my relationships. Sin is indeed insidious and persistent. That s why we need regular, frequent disciplines to help us address it. Like John Leax daily thawing out the ice on his desk and mopping up the water with a towel, you and I come into worship each week and begin by confessing our sins. Many of us follow a daily prayer regimen that includes confession. Lent is an annual discipline by which we examine our consciences and invite the purging, cleansing work of the Holy Spirit to renew us and make us ready to do God s work in the world. We need this lengthy penitential season each year, because, though much of the sin we confess and battle on a day-to-day and weekto-week basis is immediate, in the front of our minds, right before our eyes, some sin insinuates itself into the underlying fabric and pattern of our lives. We need the time, the slower pace, the devotion of Lent to train our attention on areas of our lives where we may be ignoring God s guidance, missing opportunities for obedience or wasting God s gifts. Fortunately for us, as Leax reminds us, water is also analogous to another spiritual reality, contrary to the workings of sin. The living water that Jesus promised to all who ask for it, also infiltrates our lives. This living water of Christ brings, with conviction of sin, new insight and imagination for seeing our way into a freer life, and the grace, the hope and the courage we need to get there. As Lent begins, I m giving thanks together with you for God s relentless mercy, Pastor Jack
WORSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
PARISH LIFE UPDATES BLOOD DRIVE March 30, 2017 Save a Life Eat a Cookie That s a Good Day! DONORS Sign up online, or by calling the Church Office (225-3466), or on Sundays during Coffee Hours. VOLUNTEERS Sign up to work at the Registration Table, Canteen, or to donate a baked good REGISTER ONLINE: www.redcrossblood.org
WOMEN S FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST Saturday, MARCH 18 FINANCIAL UPDATE The WOW Women s Fellowship Breakfast will be held on Saturday, March 18, starting at 8:30 a.m. in the fellows ship hall. All ladies are invited and encouraged to join us for these very enjoyable gettogethers!! Sign up on the sheet located on the kiosk in the fellowship hall. Harvest of Hope Food Pantry March s Pantry Item Please remember.march s specific food pantry items are Ramen Noodles and canned pasta. Monetary donations are always welcomed and can be made to the Harvest of Hope Food Pantry, Inc. by using the blue pew envelopes. For further information about volunteering or about giving, contact 792-6070. **This month s pantry volunteers** Thursday, March 16; 4:15-7:00 pm Brenda Bowersox Brenda Hoover Wendy & Leanna Miller George Smith Thank you for your continued support! Based on Actual Income & Expense As of January 31, 2017 Year-to-date Current Received $14,222 Current Expensed $19,584 Difference -$5,362 Benevolence Received $1,488 Benevolence Expensed $1,255 Maintenance Received $2,678 Maintenance Expensed $3,678 Any questions, contact Sue Williams. Stonework/Education Wing Revitalization Update As of January 31, 2017 2017 Results 2017 Congregation Goal $84,000.00 2017 Contributions Received $1,630.00 2017 Amount Needed $82,370.00 Revitalization Loan Balance Total $288,988.58 World Day of Prayer Friday, March 3 Am I being unfair to you? World Day of prayer began in the US in 1887. Every year a different country (Philippines) chooses a theme and prepares the order of worship so people worldwide learn how other countries, languages and cultures understand the biblical passages. Together let us pray for the children and each other throughout the world.
Grocery Gift Card Fundraiser All money raised will go to support the Youth Ministry here at St. Paul Church. * Purchase Giant or Kennies gift cards in increments of $50 * Use the cards when you do your normal Shopping * Youth receives 5% of card sales directly from the supermarket Details: 1. Cards must be purchased with checks made payable to St. Paul Lutheran Church 2. Cards will be sold on the 1 st and 3 rd Sundays during coffee hour only by seeing Sue Williams. Questions, contact Sue Williams at 225-6480. LEGACY GARDEN. A perpetual project that helps raise money for the building revitalization fund. It is a special place created for worship, prayer and reflection. Memorialize or honor your loved ones by purchasing custom-engraved bricks for the Garden. Order online at: www.polarengraving.com/stpaulevangelicallut heranchurch. Order forms are also available in the hall, the church office or on our website. Thank you for your support. DID YOU KNOW. The Property Committee budget is separate from the current account which covers staff salaries, utilities and most other committee s expenses????? This committee is financed only through the offerings that are designated to Maintenance on your offering envelopes or the giving card you submitted last Fall. If you fail to mark your envelope where your offering should go, it will all go into the current account. Property committee depends on the maintenance offerings to keep our building completely maintained. This committee is not only responsible for the upkeep and repairs, but also replacements as needed, along with the many yearly service contracts necessary to ensure properly working equipment. If you have any questions as to how this committee functions, please ask any member on the committee. PEANUT BUTTER EGG SALE Our peanut butter egg sale is back!! Watch for it the beginning of Lent up till Easter. We will be selling our eggs at Kennies Market on Friday, March 31 and Saturday, April 1. Order forms are available for those willing to take orders outside of church. Questions, see Cheryl Onelius or any Stewardship Committee member. Delicious Chicken Corn Soup!!!!! Soup will be available for purchase on March 5, 2017 after the worship service. $8.00 per quart of delicious chicken corn soup. Sale to benefit Mission & Service Committee to help others in their need. Thank you for your support!!!
SOUPER BOWL OF CARING. THANK YOU!! St. Paul Church raised $237.86 & 82 food items which will be donated to the Harvest of Hope Food Pantry. Thanks to your efforts again this year, more dollars have been raised, more lives have been changed and the nation has seen the impact of people working together to help those in need. Thank you for your support!! Thank you, Thank you Dear God for making these gifts available. Because of YOUR loving care for the babies at Rocky Boy, by the cradle at Christmas, St. Paul sent these items to them in mid-january: Bibs (10); Towel/washcloth sets (2); Sleepers (7); Gloves (2 pairs); Blankets (7); Onsies (10); Hats (2); Jackets (3); and Diapers and wipes. Thanks for your generosity!!! Mission & Service Committee Missing Coat January 22, after the Annual Meeting, someone mistakenly went home with a long black all-weather coat with a white rain bonnet in the pocket. The coat left behind has a hood attached. Please call 717-225-3994 to arrange an exchange.
Family Ministry & Adult Discipleship
THANK YOU NOTES Dear St. Paul, Thank you very much for the soup for our family, it was delicious. We appreciate all your expressions of sympathy and prayers after the passing of Sharon s brother. God Bless You! Sharon & Rodney Wentz and Family * * * * * Nancy & St. Paul Lutheran Church, Thank you for the beef vegetable soup. It was delicious. Soup is such a comfort during our time of loss. Your gift of thoughtfulness and kindness is appreciated. Sincerely, Bill & Jane * * * * * PARISH REGISTER TRANSFERRED OUT Pr. Dan & Barbara Biles To: Trinity Lutheran Church East Berlin, PA ADDRESS CHANGES Helen & Bruce Yohe 120 Rockwood Avenue York, PA 17406 717-848-6736 To everyone at St. Paul, Thank you for thinking of us during the holidays. You made Christmas special at High Street Residental. Laura, Diane, Brandon, Meghan, Ana New Dawn & Sunrise Organizations * * * * * Dear Friends, Your financial support of our students continues to be very important as the need for leaders in the church continues to grow. So, we thank you, as do the students, for your faithful direct support and for your prayers. Thank you for your prayers for Matthew and for your generous support of his education Your Partner in Service, The Rev. Angela Zimmerman Vice President of Seminary Advancement Gettysburg Seminary
WORSHIP AIDES MARCH 2017 Mar. 1 DATE AND TIME 7:00 p.m. Ash Wednesday GREETERS ACOLYTES LECTORS Greg & Lyn Greco Mar. 5 9:00 a.m. Ken & Kim Renoll Daniel Gordon Cameron Smith Fay Wagaman Brenda Bowersox COMMUNION ASSISTANTS Tina Becker Daniel Hess Heather Hamme Daniel Hess NURSERY To Be Determined SOUND SYSTEM Lynn Hershey Gary Williams Mar. 12 9:00 a.m. Girl Scouts Adam Gross Austin Ural Girl Scouts Robin Hamme Daniel Hess Lynn Hershey Mar. 19 9:00 a.m. Bill & Marian Sterner Aidan Hamme Emma Hamme Betsy Scheivert Kelly Garrett Daniel Hess Lynn Hershey Mar. 26 9:00 a.m. Ron & Paula Bollinger Nate Hamme Jayne Murphy Jim King Daniel Hess Gary Williams USHERS ALTAR GUILD FELLOWSHIP PERIOD HOME BOUND BIRTHDAYS Mar. 1 (7pm) - Team 4 Ushers, Karen Myers, Capt. *Kathy Leese Mar. 5 Penny & Dan Gordon March none 5 (9am) - Team 5 Ushers, Jim Senft, Capt. Jessica Coyne, Margie Frisk 12 Girl Scouts 12 (9am) - Team 1 Ushers, Brian Artz, Capt. Sandy Grimes, Tracy Gross 19 Theresa & John Sprenkle 19 (9am) - Team 2 Ushers, Alan King, Capt. Heather Hamme, Robin Hamme 26 - Cindy & Botts Messersmith 26 (9am) - Team 3 Ushers, Sam Becker, Capt. Carolyn Kaltreider, Cindy Messersmith Sara Ural
ST. PAUL CALENDAR MARCH 2017 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 3 4 5 9:00 am Communion/Camp Sunday 10:15 am Fellowship Time 10:30 am Faith Formation Hr 12 9:00 am Communion / Girl Scout Sunday 10:15 am Fellowship Time 10:30 am Faith Formation Hr Food Sharing Day 19 9:00 am Communion 10:15 am Fellowship Time 10:30 am Faith Formation Hr 11:30am-3pm Youth Photo Scavenger Hunt 26 9:00 am Communion 10:15 am Fellowship Time 10:30 am Faith Formation Hr 6 8:30 am Quilters 6:00 pm Refugee Team Mtg 6:30 pm Cub Scouts 13 8:30 am Quilters 6:30 pm Property Comm Mtg 6:30 pm Stewardship Comm 6:30 pm Cub Scouts 7:00 pm Finance Comm Mtg 20 8:30 am Quilters 6:30 pm Cub Scouts 7:00 pm Church Council Mtg 27 8:30 am Quilters 6:30 pm Cub Scouts 7 12-1pm Lenten Lunch 5:30 pm Daisy Scouts 5:30 pm Brownies 5:30 pm Cadettes 14 12-1pm Lenten Lunch 5:30 pm Daisy Scouts 5:30 pm Brownies 5:30 pm Cadettes 7:00 pm Boy Scout Committee Meeting 21 12-1pm Lenten Lunch 5:30 pm Daisy Scouts 5:30 pm Brownies 5:30 pm Cadettes 28 12-1pm Lenten Lunch 5:30 pm Daisy Scouts 5:30 pm Brownies 5:30 pm Cadettes 1 ASH WEDNESDAY 9:00 am Bible Study Noon Service 7:00 pm Communion 7:00 pm SG Group AA 8:00 pm Chancel Choir 8 9:00 am Bible Study 6:30 pm Evening Prayer 6:30 pm Cub Committee Mtg 7:00 pm SG Group AA 7:00 pm Chancel Choir 15 9:00 am Bible Study 10:00 am Staff Meeting 6:30 pm Evening Prayer 7:00 pm SG Group AA 7:00 pm Chancel Choir Epistle Deadline 22 9:00 am Bible Study 6:30-8pm Refreshment Wednesday 7:00 pm SG Group AA 8:00 pm Chancel Choir 29 9:00 am Bible Study 6:30 pm Evening Prayer 7:00 pm SG Group AA 7:00 pm Chancel Choir 2 9 6:30 pm Boy Scouts 16 6:30 pm Boy Scouts 23 6:30 pm Boy Scouts 30 12-8pm Blood Drive 4:30 pm Palm Processional Mtg 6:30 pm Boy Scouts 10 17 24 31 Church Office Closed Church Office Closed Church Office Closed Church Office Closed Church Office Closed 11 18 8:30 am WOW Women s Breakfast 5:30-9:00 pm, Amy Baublitz, nave 25 1-7pm Fellowship Hall in use, Eagle Scout Ceremony